WIGAN ST JUDES ARLFC - MATCH REPORTS ROUND UP

1st Team

In the last game of the 2016 National Conference League Division 2 season St  Jude's travelled away to Stanley Rangers with a much changed side due to county trials and the A team having no game for two weeks. Head Coaches Martin Cunningham and Neil Molynuex worked together on putting a team out which would benefit everyone and give some game time to players and despite a bit of a scare by the fired up hosts Jude's still had enough to take the points and finish off with a win. St Jude's very young side was soon in trouble when the hosts scored two unanswered tries to take a 10-0 lead on 25 minutes. St Jude's were doing everything well but the final pass was not working, forwards Brett Taberner, Olumide Oladele, Leon Harber,Barry Rothwell and Callum Oconner were working hard as was young Half Backs Rob Collier and Rob Fenney who tried to unlock a stubborn Stanley defence and it was a Rob Colliers high  restart kick off which payed off when Stanley spilled the ball and Scrum half Rob Fenney picked up the lose ball and scored under the posts, Rob Collier goaled . This was quickly followed by a Alex Pilling quick play the ball which found Strong running Second row Brett Taberner who found space on the left to break free and put centre David Fagan away to score the first of his two tries, Rob Collier slotted over the two and put Jude's back level at 10 all. Nathan Jones and Connor Parkinson were constant threats with the ball as was Dante Morley Samuels who is getting better every game. With half time looming a St Jude's scrum on the hosts line payed dividends when man of the match Barry Rothwell was tackled just short of the Stanley line but still managed to stretch out and reach the line right under the posts , Collier did the rest with the boot to give Jude's a 16-10 lead at the half.

The second half followed in much the same vein as the first with Stanley Rangers fired up but this time they had the massive slope to their advantage and on 44 minutes they scored wide out to claw back to 16-14. Jude's forwards had to knuckle down and they did Brett Taberner, Oly Oladele,Alex Pilling, Callum Oconner,Leon Harber and Kieron Gaskell all did there bit to stop the home sides charge. Jude's made a few changes in positions, young Hooker Jason Holland and experienced players  Glen Hunt and Chris Pimblett slotted in and Nathan Jones was moved to centre with Man of the Match Barry Rothwell moving to his favourite position of full back. With time running out and scores level at 20-20 classy centre Connor Parkinson hit a gap on the Stanley 25 and accelerated away to score under the posts,Collier sealed the win with the two points 26-20. It was good experience for some of the young  players and they will all benefit from it and next year these  young lads will take St Jude's forward as the motto says….GOING FORWARD ..Thanks lads for a memorable season..

Man of the Match…Barry Rothwell…Mr utility..experience stood out.

Under15's

St Judes 38-17 Oldham St Annes

St Judes staged a stunning fight back to defeat Oldham St Annes 38-17 in their NWC Premier Division Clash at Parsons Meadow.

A disappointing first half saw St Judes register only one score courtesy of outstanding winger Ben Findlow who crossed for Judes in the 7th minute.

The away side had enjoyed the lion share of possession and play in an unimpressive first 30 mins of the game and saw them take 17-4 lead into the halftime break.

The second half however was a completely different story altogether. The home side seemed to find believe and desire in themselves and went on to produce a staggering second half performance that Oldham St Annes had simply no answer to. Tries from Connor Ramsdale, Ike Eastwood, Aaron Dawber, Adam Holt, and a brace Lewis Belshaw plus 5 Eastwood goals saw St Judes run out eventual 38-17 winners.

Man of the match for St Judes was the outstanding Ben Findlow who continues get better and better each week. Ike Eastwood, Harry Leigh, and Harry Adamson also produced some eye catching performances.

Under 14's

Crossfields 20-22 St.Judes

Tries: Owen Birch (2), Peter Moore (1), Lewis Baxter (1)

Conversion: Peter Moore (3)

Penalties: Peter Moore (1)

Half Time: 18-22

Well done lads through to your first final. Let's work hard in training ready for the final in a couple of weeks.

Under 12's

Judes  52-0 Rochdale Mayfield  

Judes were in the driving seat in this game from start to finish and recorded a record 4th win with a nil score-line, including an 18-0 win against Bridge midweek.  Even though Mayfield got off to a cracking start with a kick-off running dead, Judes defence was steadfast enough to deny any points.  Judes seemed hungry to score on every set with some fluent attack and sticking to their structures paid off racking up 4 first half tries.  Three wingers tries started by Alfie Whittle after a high bomb was plucked out of the air brilliantly by our big lad Reece and the move continued for Alfie to finish off in the corner.  The next a great forwards try charging for the line to be finished off with an inside ball to Harvey Makin.  Reagan Hunter got in the act on the opposite wing with the ball moving down the line for Reagan to score in the corner and the final 4 points of the half claimed by Alfie Whittle and his second try off the back of a practiced long cut out pass from Ryan for Alfie to speed off down the pitch and score under the sticks.   James Richardson nailed every conversion and the half finished 24-0.

Ryan repaid the compliment of the first half with a kick-off that ran over dead ball line.  Harvey went crashing over with the ball, only to be held up and it wasn’t long before Ryan Wood was rewarded for his kicks with 4 points of his own in the corner.  Judes were relentless in attack and threw everything at Mayfield today and defensively were very solid, many a time containing their opponents in their own half.  Our next attack records Alfie Whittle his hatrick, showing his speed from half way to out run the defenders.  The next 2 tries were good solid tries from our big lads with a good drive from Junior who went close, then Harvey does what he does best and comes crashing onto the ball to bound over.  The next Mayfield are forced to kick from their own half and after letting the ball bounce, was tidied up by Josh and Judes were instantly back on the attack with a good ball from Lewis to Reece Stanton, who looked covered, but used his long stride to good effect to speed to the line and plonk over the whitewash.  Judes still weren’t finished though and put the icing on the cake with a forth fabulous try by Alfie Whittle, Mayfield had run out of steam and the gap appeared for Alfie to exploit and finish off his 4 try haul!  James Richardson converted who was 100% with the boot today and have to say got some really difficult kicks, but took all 9 perfectly and recorded his own 18 points towards the 54-0 win.  

Fantastic team performance today and Judes have really come alive these last few games.  Not letting in any points in the last 4 games is some achievement and nice to see all the squad improving and playing confidently.  Well done boys and keep up the hard work!

Today awards go to:

Outstanding Efforts: James Richardson, has been a quiet player, but outstanding today even racking up 18 points of his own.  Alfie whittle, well what can you say, 4 top draw tries, there is no substitute for speed and a hunger to score.

Assist: Lewis Pinder, always shows versatility in games and even moving positions doesn’t phase him.

Top Tackler: Kalan Devine – the bulldozer is back!!

Man of the Match: Harvey Makin, always stand out in games whether doing the hard stuff, running the ball up or scoring great tries, which he did in abundance today.

Under 9's

Judes 7-7 Culcheth 

Today Judes played at home on a lovely Sunday morning. 

Judes started strong scoring straight from the 1st set . This continued with some great defence and scoring a further 2 unanswered tries before Culcheth seemed to get in to the game .

Judes defence was broken by some great hands from Culcheth and some missed defence from Judes in the center of the pitch . 

After that it was pretty much end to end stuff from both teams . Some great ball handling and tackling on show from both teams which in turn led to a 7 - 7 draw ..... all in all a great score to have as both teams played very well .

Today's tries came from 

Harry W 1 

Ryleigh 2 

Jack 1

Cas 2 

Lucas 1 

Today's Trophies went to 

Aaron.  M.O.M 

Jack.  Parents Award 

Reece.  Top Tackler 

Harry W. All Round Effort 

Nathan. Most Improved 

Well done all . Great Game. See you all Thursday.

Under 8's - Maroons

Ince rose bridge 11-15 st Judes maroons

Judes travelled across town with a bare bones squad due to half the team missing in a local derby against bridge. Judes were out the blocks quickly running in 4 try's and holding bridge to just 2 try's. The second quarter ended much the same fashion with Judes leading 8-4 at the break. The low numbers began to show in the last two quarters and the boys began to tire in defence with bridge having a full squad a available plenty of fresh legs were able to run at the Judes defence, credit to bridge they battled on and pulled the game back towards the end but Judes were always in control. Credit to the boys they dug deep and no one can doubt the heart these kids have.

Ty Roberts 4

James Gleeson 4

Cameron cooper 2

Liam  Aspinal 2

Danny 2

Zak beleki

Under 8's - Golds

St Jude's Golds 10-6 Latchford Albion 

The Golds hosted Latchford in an early kick off. Both teams started strong and kept it close in the first 20 minutes. The boys came out in the 2nd 20 defending great and finishing strong to get there first win.

Try scorers:

Oliver 4

Dylan 3

George 1

Blake 1

Zach 1

Under 7's

West Bank bears 4-6 Wigan st judes

Judes travelled over to West Bank bears for a tough fixture against a team who hadn't lost a game, just like us. The clash of the titans began!!

It started with a tough encounter with West Bank bears scoring twice. Judes then stepped up to show good defence stopping them conceding more tries in the 1st quarter

2nd quarter all the judes boys came out strong with outstanding defence from Ruben, Cody, and Jack Elwick allowing judes to attack which saw Finley scoring twice in the left corner.

3rd quarter judes continued with their defence against a good attacking side with little Chiz, Luke, Tadgh and Ellis stepping up a gear which reduced there yards and saw judes take the lead with a try from Tadgh and then another from Ellis.

Judes entered the 4th quarter with a 2 point lead. West Bank bear hit back with a great attack which saw them score. Jack Elwick then drove through most of West Bank team to score again for judes. West Bank didn't give up and continued with the great performance that had shown throughout the game scoring their 4th try. Finally judes showed great determination which saw Jack Myers take the last try of the game.

Great team effort from all the boys and great game from both sides.

Mom - finley 

Most improved- kyle

Big mentions to Jack Elwick, little Chiz, Ruben, Ellis, Tadgh and Cody on their outstanding defence.